Liz's Wares

Etsy Tip: Managing Multiple Email Accounts for Etsy Shops

2012-02-15T00:01:00.002-05:00

When you sign up for Etsy you need an email associated with it. To do multiple shops you need multiple email accounts- you can't use the same email account.

So how can you keep track of your mail from more than one account?
Especially if you have accounts from various places, ie. google, yahoo, hotmail, etc?

One method I have found that works nicely for me is Mozilla Thunderbird!

"Software made to make email easier. Thunderbird is a free email application that's easy to set up and customize - and it's loaded with great features!"

< click image to go to Thunderbird site

Recipe- Red Velvet Cake

2012-02-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

Red being the color of passion is perfect for Valentine's day. And (almost) everyone loves cake.
So today I'm sharing the recipe for Red Velvet cake.

Ingredients

Cake

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs, at room temperature

1 tablespoon red food coloring

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup buttermilk

12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for the pans

3 cups cake flour (sift before measuring)

3 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1¾ cups granulated sugar

Frosting

2 pounds (about 8 cups) confectioners sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

⅛ teaspoon salt

4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

Preparation

1. Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°, Butter two 9-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the parchment Whisk the flour, cocoa powder. baking soda and salt in a bowl.

2. Beat the granulated sugar. 12 tablespoons butter and the vegetable oil in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium high speed until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Beat in the food coloring. vinegar and vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour mixture in 3 batches. alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour. until just combined.

3. Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes on racks. then turn the cakes out onto the racks to cool completely. Using a long serrated knife, carefully slice each cake in half horizontally to make 2 even layers.

4. Make the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed until fluffy. Add the confectioners’ sugar. lemon juice. vanilla and salt; beat until smooth.

5. Put 1 cake layer on a platter; spread 1¼ cups frosting on top. Repeat to make 4 layers. ending with the cake. Cover the top and sides with a thin layer of frosting (this is the “crumb coat”; it doesn’t have to be perfect). Chill 15 minutes. then cover with the remaining frosting.

Crafty Decor- My Pegboard is Up

2012-02-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

I finally have my pegboard up and starting to hang things on it.
One goal done this year.

Treasury: Love is in the air

2012-02-06T23:27:00.000-05:00

'Love is in the air' by LizsWares

Here's some lovely valentine's gift ideas

Love birds On A Branch Monog... anatoliantaled... $30.00	Star Wars Bracelets Han Sol... SpiffingJewelr... $20.00
Custom Love Birds - 36 x 12,... shannacreation... $145.00	I LOVE THEE with a love that... OldBarnRescueC... $39.00
Soda You Love Me Valentines ... poshtottydesig... $2.95	Natural Twig Love Wall Sign.... ChristinesCrea... $56.00
Love Greeting Card - Back Al... sweetperversio... $4.00	Valentine's Day LO-VE Tw... klzart $39.00
I Love (Heart) my Papa shirt... lovespace $15.99	Vintage The Love Mug Kissing... vintagegoodnes... $7.95
Keep Calm and Fall in Love M... DKTees $29.00	Pac Man Necklace - 80s Love ... CamileeDesigns $45.00
I Love (Heart) my Wife Shirt... lovespace $19.99	I Love (Heart) my Hubby Shir... lovespace $19.99
LAST MINUTE Valentine Gift-t... chocolatesays $19.99	LOVE Cuff Links - AMOR AMORE... CleopatraNYC $45.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Tutorial of Interest- Crayon Heart Valentines

2012-02-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a tutorial for cute heart shaped crayon valentines.
These make perfect handmade valentines for the kiddos to pass out at school- no sugar, bright colors, and fun!

First to make the heart shaped crayons:
You will need to gather all the old crayons in the house… if your house is anything like mine, that won't be a problem. You can also purchase new crayons as well. I will have to admit, the new crayons were easier to remove the labels from. I used an X-ACTO knife to make a slit down the length of the crayon to easily remove the labels. The older crayons took a little more coaxing.

Once you've removed all of the labels, break the crayons into small pieces. The smaller the better…

I also found that separating them into color families made for the best looking crayons, but that is completely up to you!

You will need to use a heart shaped silicon baking mold to melt your crayons in. I found mine at Michaels in the baking section and it worked like a dream. I decided that we wanted our crayons to be a little glittery so we added about 1/2 a teaspoon of silver glitter to the bottom of the baking mold. Then we filled the baking mold with the crayons about 1/3 full. The mold I used was pretty deep so depending on what you use you will have to play around with this.

Place in your oven that has been pre-heated to 300 degrees and baked for 15 minutes. The crayons will become completely liquefied so be careful when you pull them out of the oven. Carefully place them on the counter to cool. You want to make sure that you don't move them around too much and mix the colors more than you want. Wait for about 20 minutes or until the crayon is solid again and then gently remove it from the mold and let cool completely.

I made 57 hearts with the Wilton Mini Heart Mold using approximately 200 crayons.

Original Post shows how to make the cards as well:

http://whipperberry.com/2012/01/crayon-heart-valentines-with-lifestyle-crafts.html

Styleboard: Crystals and Pearls

2012-02-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Crystals and pearls are timeless accessories. Perfect for any time of the year when you want to feel special.

Treasury: Those cunning folk use any means To achieve their ends

2012-01-30T17:55:00.000-05:00

'Those cunning folk use any means To achieve their ends' by LizsWares

Here are some goodies for all you in Slytherin House!

Harry Potter Slytherin Swaro... ArcanaDea $58.00	American Girl/Gotz 18 Inch D... AuntBeesOldSew... $15.00
Draco Malefoy, Slytherin Dea... Boitifole $45.00	Green and silver "Slyth... RachelandOrion $10.00
Slytherin Knit Harry Potter ... BoofoloBeads $30.00	Slytherin House iPad 1 and 2... coollikethat $36.00
SLYTHERIN CREST -cut macbook... TheAppleTailor $11.99	SALE Harry Potter Flask, Sly... HarmlessHabit $49.99
Harry Potter inspired Robe &... SoSewMimi $60.00	Chic Slouchy Slytherin Hat Simplychicslyt... $20.00
Laptop Sleeve, Harry Potter ... danadooleydesi... $25.00	Harry Potter Slytherin Crest... wootbaby $4.95
Cute Harry Potter Slytherin ... hatandmouse $10.99	Harry Potter Slytherin Cameo... CraftyTeapot $10.00
Hogwarts Crest Necklace Cust... HeadlessTessDI... $39.99	Infinity Mobius Scarf, Slyth... danadooleydesi... $25.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Craft of the Day- Faux-granite countertop

2012-01-28T00:00:00.001-05:00

I love interior decorating- especially DIY! So when I seen this post I just had to share it!

time: 12 hours of labor
How to:
"All you do is prime, apply base coat (I chose black) and then with colours of your choice, use a sea sponge to create that mottled granite look, making sure you add the veins and such and then seal it with layers and layers of polyurethane for the high gloss and durability."

Look at how amazing that is!

I'm definitely keeping this is mind when I get a house!

Favorite Shop of the Week- GreenElevator

2012-01-26T00:00:00.002-05:00

Today I am featuring:

Shop description (what they sell):
cute handmade monster plushies

Here's a few items that caught my eye:
Quototei

Yaktac

Wistimoon

You can follow this shop at:
www.greenelevator.blogspot.com

Choosing Colors to Decorate With (decor links included)

2012-01-24T00:00:00.002-05:00

One thing I want to do this year is decorate every room. Not too hard since there's only 5 including the bathroom, lol.

First I did some research on how to choose colors (see links):
http://blog.builddirect.com/picking-paint-colors/
http://yourdecoratinghotline.com/color-considerations/
http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/choosing-interior-color-schemes/index.html
http://family.wikinut.com/Choosing-Interior-Design-Color-Combinations/1qm6ovwu/
http://blog.builddirect.com/interior-design-tips-erin-loechner/
http:/www.cottagehomedecorating.com/interior-decorating-color.html
http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/how-to-choose-a-color-scheme/index.html

Then I looked at what I had in the rooms and what colors appeal to me.

Here's what I came up with:
Keeping in mind that sadly I'm stuck with apartment-dingy-white walls, unless I scrub them weekly.

Bedroom #1 Crafty and comfortable
black, white, red, blue, silver/grey - accent sparingly with lime green, orange, and yellow

Bedroom #2
white, pink, yellow, blue, black, silver

Kitchen 1950's bright and happy
pastel shades of pink, blue, green, yellow, orange; red, black, white, silver

Livingroom comfy, cozy, airy
blue, pale yellow, white, wood tones, black, lime green- sparingly, bronze, gold or silver?

Upstairs floors currently are a light tan wood; downstairs is whitish laminated cement (that grout seeps up in cracks constantly)- later will be a dark walnut wood downstairs- in 4 years or so {it's rental complex- they're waiting for a grant}.

Treasury: Fresh Start for 2012

2012-01-23T01:52:00.001-05:00

'Fresh Start for 2012' by LizsWares

Get organized for 2012!!!

2012 Calendar - Large Format... PERSONALIZEDpr... $38.00	chalkboard mail organizer la... inorder2organi... $230.00
COUPON ORGANIZER - Lovely Ro... iSew $34.00	Knitting Needle Organizer, R... MessyJesse $36.99
Wood Earbud Holder / Earphon... AcousticDesign $27.00	Recycled Record Desk Organiz... ikcdesign $30.00
Recipe Card/Organizer Book tatteredrosest... $25.00	11. Yellow-green felt bag or... samorga $45.95
CALENDAR 2012 / DEC 2011 - M... rabka2008 $14.80	VINTAGE ORGANIZER-Wooden Ham... bystephaniekat... $48.00
The Creative Notebook- a Spr... lizssupplies $45.00	Mail Organizer key hooks coa... OldNewAgain $54.00
Industrial Mid Century Moder... offthewalleleg... $99.99	Wicker organizer thebestthings $19.50
Vintage Faux Wood Desk Organ... reclaimer $16.00	SALE Vintage Bamboo Desk or... msmichiganroux $38.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

I've Learned Alot

2012-01-23T00:00:00.001-05:00

Ever since I started LizsWares in 2009 I've been introduced to new ideas and people.
My planning and organization skills have improved, as well as my decision making skills too.

For this blog carnival I chose to look at my skills pertaining to my shop.

What i do well:
* I do well with organization.
* I do well with pre-planning.
* I do well at bookkeeping.
* I do well at researching.
* I'm doing better about promoting through social networks like StumpleUpon, Kaboodle, and Twitter.

What I'd like to improve:
* I lack funds to purchase new supplies when I want them.
* I'm still working on organizing my spaces to accommodate my crafts and still fit my living quarters.
* I've made more time for blogging, but feel like I have less time for creating. I need to balance this.

What I love about having my shops:
* I love the close knit community that has grown from Etsy.
* I love being able to share my creations with others.
* I love blogging to share my experiences and knowledge.

Etsy-Deviants Spotlight- Jan 22nd 2012

2012-01-22T01:52:00.005-05:00

Today I am featuring some fellow EtsyDeviants from DeviantArt.com

Pearl and Crystal Wedding Necklace, Nature, Dragonfly, Vintage Jewelry Upcycled by DesignsBloom

Steampunk Leather Wristcuff w/ Etched Brass Plateby SteampunkedOut

Geeky Robot Necklace with Shiny Silver Jiggly Robot Pendantby Techcycled

Real .223 Bullet Keychain by ArmageddonArt

House Stark iPad Case by TaeliacStudio

Site of the Day- BurdaStyle

2012-01-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

Patterns can get costly that's why any free patterns or tutorials on drafting patterns can help immensely!

One site I like to frequent for free patterns is BurdaFashion

http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns?free=1&most_recent=1

A very nice site that you can download and upload your own diy patterns to share.

I've been Featured: Treasury- Pigs and Pearls by tabachin

2012-01-18T14:08:00.002-05:00

Thank you tabachin for including me in this adorable treasury!

'Pigs and Pearls' by tabachin

Pink Pig Glass Pearl Stretch... MadAristocrat $25.00	Pink rose and pearl bridal b... AlineDesignLtd $55.00
Sweet hearts - Fine Art Phot... PinkPeonyPhoto... $2.00	Soft BABY POWDER 8 ounce Soy... crowsnestprimi... $9.50
Pink Nail Art Decor Cherry B... saburkitty $7.00	Pastel Pink and Blue Pearl R... GardenOfBeaden... $29.00
Pig Earrings Hvitolg $8.50	Art Card Green and Pink Spir... SouthwestCraft... $3.75
Butterfly Necklace with Blue... LizsWares $56.00	VALENTINE Baby PIGLET Waterc... eastwitching $16.00
Baby blue Crystal and pearl ... mariacorcuera $39.00	Pig Art- Pig Watercolor Pain... tylersworkshop $12.00
Shabby Chic -How'd that ... rusticrevivals $12.50	Valentine Pink and Blue Hear... catalinaglass $10.00
25 Chocolate Buttons: Pink &... TheFrostedPett... $10.50	Flying Pig Necklace Silver P... CosmicFirefly $24.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Product Review- Hometrends Kaspar dishes from Walmart

2012-01-16T21:14:00.005-05:00

I bought these dishes from the store a little over a year ago.The say on the back that they are dishwasher and microwave safe.

Well yesterday while reheating pizza the dish split in half; my microwave went black when it happened (safety feature i guess).

Here's the link to the dishes. I submitted a review but Walmart.com has not posted it yet.
Whether or not they will at all is questionable.

Here's photos of the broken-NOT-Microwave-safe Dishes

I understand you get what you pay for, but still I see this as false advertising.

Treasury: Winter Wedding Wonderland

2012-01-16T13:50:00.000-05:00

'Winter Wedding Wonderland' by LizsWares

A beautiful mix of white and blue items (handmade and vintage) to make your wedding special!

Faux Fur Stole Shawl Wrap Wh... sewudesigns $50.00	Light Blue Winter Wedding Br... skyejuice $20.00
Wedding Dress Romantic Custo... WeddingDressFa... $750.00	10 Winter Wedding Centerpiec... PulpBlossomCra... $70.00
FINGER CORSAGE no.17-Winter ... BlondeChick $20.00	Handcrochet White Fingerless... Pasin $32.00
sterling silver rings, weddi... redsofa $140.00	vintage blue stilettos, 1960... ElasVintageFin... $52.00
Winter Wedding Invitation Su... ALookOfLove $50.00	0.80 ct GIA Round Cut Engag... TreasurlybyDim... $3995.00
Midsummer Rose Wedding Set, ... wexfordjeweler... $500.00	Bree Empire Long Tulle Gown TingBridal $598.00
Vintage 1950s Wedding Dress ... FabGabs $398.00	Wedding Shoes and purse pain... norakaren $375.00
Silver Pinecone Necklace - C... LRoseDesigns $42.00	Cake Pops - Snowball Sugared... SimplyDivineDe... $26.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Product Review- Scotch Thermal Laminator + How to Use tutorial

2012-01-14T00:00:00.003-05:00

I bought this laminator:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010JEJPC/
Amazon.com had a one-day sale for $16.99 + free shipping.

It comes with 2 pouches- which means two tries.
The pouches are like 2 pieces of paper attached at one end. You place you item between the layers, making sure you have a 1/8" edge all the way around. Be careful of dust and hair that can get caught in between as well. It won't damage anything but it'll always be there.

1. You plug in the machine. Let it heat up about 5 minutes or so. You'll know it's ready when the ready light comes on. The first time I used mine there was a smell form the heating element- not horrible but you could smell it heating up.

2. Once ready begin feeding your pouch closed end first! Don't force it in the machine will start moving the pouch through.
If it gets jammed or it's crooked - use the release lever and pull through. I have not had this happen yet.

3. The pouch will come out all sealed and pretty.

4. If you did multiple items in your pouch like I did- you can cut them out individually. BE SURE TO LEAVE AN EDGE AROUND THE ITEMS! If you cut directly next to you item then the laminating will peel off.

Overall this is a great addition to any craftroom and I'm sure I will come up with plenty of ideas for using it!

Here's a link to the Scotch brand laminating pouches
http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Thermal-Laminating-Pouches-TP3854-20/dp/B0018NC2SQ/

Here's a link to a cheaper brand that a commenter said worked just as well- I have yet to try them.
http://www.amazon.com/Universal®-Clear-Laminating-Pouches-11-1/dp/B002XK468W/

Favorite Deviant of the Day- MivTheVampire

2012-01-12T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today's Deviant is MivTheVampire.
She specializes in photomanipulation and photography.

You can find their complete deviant art gallery here.

My favorites...

The Lost Garden

A Summer Romance

Lost In Paradise

Tutorial of Interest- DIY Pom Pom Beanie

2012-01-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a great way to update that old beanie hat this winter!
Its a simple tutorial on adding a faux fur pom pom I found on Honestly WTF blog.

A finished example

Gather Supplies:
a beanie
a faux fur or handmade yarn pom pom
embroidery thread
embroidery needle
scissors

Step 1: Thread the needle with about 25 inches of embroidery thread. Double knot the end of the thread.

Step 2: Find the center of the pom pom and pierce the needle through it. Push the needle through the top of the beanie and pull the thread tight.

Step 3: Pull the needle back through the top of the beanie and thread the needle through the pom pom in the same spot.

Step 4: Push the needle back through the beanie. Stitch through the beanie in the inside, going back and forth a few times.

Step 5: Tie a double or triple knot to secure the thread.

All done!!

(all images by HonestlyWTF)

Treasury: Lets Take a Walk Through the Woods

2012-01-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

'Lets Take a Walk Through the Woods' by LizsWares

Feeling close to nature lately.

Winter Photography, blue, wo... moonlightphoto... $28.00	woodland lichen eco resin br... RosellaResin $80.00
Beautiful Woodland Moss Plac... MissMossy $40.00	Woodland Critter Alphabet Pr... SeaUrchinStudi... $50.00
Birch Woodland Forest Wall D... lewasdesigns $160.00	Woodland Forest Fern Hand Pa... SarafinaDreams $95.00
Wedding Vows Personalized Li... braggingbags $14.99	6 Rustic Heart Firefly Lante... BriannaPaigeDe... $120.00
Vintage Deer Figurines Pair ... DownEastAttic $18.00	Set of 6 Vintage Woodland Fr... OopsyGirl $24.00
Pyrex Cinderella Nesting Bow... TheGreenPiano $60.00	Chandelier, Magical Woodlan... queendecor $650.00
Vintage Mushroom Cookie Jar ... CarpeDiemTreas... $10.00	Vintage Wood Serving Tray Ru... vintagenowandt... $15.00
Vintage Woodland Animal Nigh... VintageDomesti... $68.00	owl, ceramic, figurine, orna... godo $12.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Etsy-Deviants Spotlight- Jan 8th 2012

2012-01-08T01:30:00.004-05:00

Today I am featuring some fellow EtsyDeviants from DeviantArt.com

Sweet Dreams (Ball Joint Doll BJD knitted clothing) by MurisDesigns

Gingham Print Teapot Charm Necklace by thebeautboutique

HP Potion Keychains by 11FACED

Bartleby Von Fishersnoot - Steampunk gentleman cat sculpture by Bakenekoya

Handmade Masquerade Mask by OsborneArts

Recipe- Easy Infused Water

2012-01-05T00:00:00.001-05:00

One thing I should do this year is drink more water.
It's one thing that almost everyone forgets to do.
I prefer that my water have some taste to it- so I usually buy Walmart's brand of 'crystal light' flavor packs.
But I had seen a pitcher that you can use to infuse teas and water, and after finding these recipes I may have to give it a try.
Infused waters would be perfect for hot days, but also good year round.

image by abeautifulmess

Try mixing a variety of fruits in the water.

Combo #1 "Lemon and Cucumber Water. This combination is super refreshing and tart!"

image by abeautifulmess

Combo #2- "Strawberry and Basil Water. This recipe a unique and so pretty! I recommend starting out with fewer basil leaves and adding more until it's perfect for you!"

image by abeautifulmess

Combo #3 "Mint Water. My personal favorite! I love all things mint. Frozen raspberries are also wonderful with mint.Try it!"

image by abeautifulmess

I'm sure a Google search would warrant a bunch more ideas for infusing water and would be much cheaper and healthier than drink packets. Especially if the fruits are picked from your own garden.

LizsWares is Reorganizing for 2012!

2012-01-03T00:00:00.001-05:00

I intend to create more diversified jewelry in various mediums and styles.
So I've decided to rearrange my shop sections by style.
I'll add a link in each listing so that if you choose to search by item type (ie. bracelet, necklace, earrings) that you still can by clicking that link.

Here are my new sections and a sample of what you'll find in them

1. Fashion Jewelry (Resin) : for fashion, plastic and resin jewelry

2. Fantasy Beaded Jewelry:

3. Heavy Metal (For Men)

4. Nature Inspired Jewelry:

5. Upcycled Fabric Jewelry:
Coming soon!

6. Dark Romance Goth Jewels:

7. Bohemian Jewelry:

8. Steampunk Jewelry:
Coming soon!

9. Geekery Jewelry:
Coming soon!

10. Holiday Jewelry and more:
Valentine's day and more - plus whatever doesn't fit somewhere else.

Treasury: Winter Fashion- Brrr Baby

2012-01-02T18:19:00.002-05:00

'Winter Fashion- Brrr Baby' by LizsWares

Here are some cute ways to bundle up your little ones this winter!

Perfect for Winter- Light Bl... funkyshapes $32.95	Boys Black and Red Toddler W... CricketDeigh $30.00
Girls Cape, Special Occasion... lizeeekids $75.00	Winter Girl's Dress Tuni... SoulRole $65.00
Toddler Girl Fleece Hooded J... bubbaluandlivv... $59.95	Holiday Dress, Red with whi... AddyPaddy $32.00
Hand Knit Baby Sweater, Unis... YellowHouseKni... $60.00	Jumping Snowboarder Winter S... BigBridgeStudi... $26.00
Dog Winter Scarf CateAndLevi $35.00	Owl Baby Booties. Boots. Chi... handmadetherap... $28.00
Mittens on strings appliqued... XOXOAsh $18.00	Winter Mittens Twirl Skirt medesigns22 $20.00
2 to 3 years Teal Childs Hoo... BallOfYarnToo $44.00	Patchwork Winter Dress - 4 y... RebornNZ $45.00
Winter Wonderland Peasent D... LavenderBirdCr... $43.00	HAND CROCHETED FALL/WINTER F... Woodfrock $30.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Instead of Resolutions- 26 Things to do before 27

2012-01-01T00:00:00.002-05:00

I know that myself and I'm sure others have a hard time sticking to New Years resolutions.
Well here's an idea instead. How about a list of things to do before your next birthday!

Your list should include things you'd like to accomplish this year, fun things to do, maybe
something you always wanted to try. Even things that you know you've neglected- like exercise
and visiting friends or relatives, etc.

Try to stick with easy to reach goals, but even small steps towards big goals are a good idea too! Always remember to include to relax and mostly things you know you'd enjoy doing. Life is about being happy and making others happy. So have fun!

Here's my 26 before 27:
1. Add to my wardrobe- sewing and buying

2. Finish at least 1 Works-in-Progress a month

3. Create a clothing line
I'd like to open LizsClothes, but I want more items created and finished before I do.

4. Create art for each room

5. Make Christmas decorations for this year
Some for me and possibly some for LizsHome?

6. Meet someone I can love

7. Get a social life
It's lonely behind the computer, lol :P

8. Make 'master patterns' for me
I plan to create patterns from clothes that I LOVE the fit of to expand my wardrobe

9. Finish cutting table- I've dabbled in sewing and need a cutting table to lay out patterns etc.

10. Put up the pegboard- I just bought some pegboard. need to paint it, buy hooks etc, and hang it.

11. Create 20+ items for each shop

12. Photograph current finished items

13. Expand my shoe wardrobe

14. Work on recipe box

15. Reorganize and decorate- one room at a time

16. Start a planter box of green peppers and onions?

17. Start writing down family history on Decade Disks
My 'decade disks' are dvds I'm trying to compile of photos and info of me, family, and friends as a
biography of sorts

18. Take more photos of everyday life!

19. Get more tools for cooking + kitchen organization
have one mixing bowl (ie Rubbermaid storage bowl) that is usually busy holding fruit on table or lettuce in fridge :P

20. Expand my personal earring collection- studs for work + cuff earrings

21. Watch a new movie or follow a tv show every week
Currently I've been following Glee!

22. Put new music on mp3 player

23. Go to yard sales this year

24. Take up yoga? or at least do some basic stretches daily

25. Start scheduling blog posts more often and prewrite them.

26. Create a blog post list of the great things that happened during the year. As well as a followup to what I finished on this list.

I got the idea from A Beautiful Mess.

Personal Project- 3d Art Flower Box

2011-12-29T00:59:00.004-05:00

I had the idea the other day, that I should make a spot on the wall to hold fake flowers.

So drafted an idea- first I thought 3d flower pot- nah too hard.
Then sort of a squared cone coming off a canvas- still hard.
I know a box like a planters box- perfect.

Steps I took:
1. I found a small box and cut about 1 inch out of the middle to make it skinnier. Using a skinnier box would have worked too.
2. Glued the halves together.
3. Cut a flap off a box to be my back.
4. Painted the box silver. and the backing yellow.
5. I plan to use toilet paper rolls inside the box to help hold the flowers. I may need to shorten the flowers- not sure yet.
6. I plan to get pink, blue, and white flowers.
7. I'll most likely get some ribbon to tie through the holes and hang on a nail or slip the holes over nails. I'm not sure which will hold the box upright the best.

Also I printed and colored dividers for my recipe box.
I plan to laminate them once I get more laminating pouches.

Get The Creative Notebook and get your Etsy shop organized for 2012!

2011-12-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

The Creative Notebook- a Spreadsheet for organizing

Is your Etsy shop ready for the new year?
Do you ever find yourself saying I need to plan my blog posts ahead more often?
Ever wish you had wrote down your mileage for all those post office trips to send out your goods?

Get the Creative Notebook today and get organized! Print the pages out to have hardcopies to write on or just type everything in- it's up to you!

I analyzed my needs, what I knew worked and tried to include everything a seller would need to keep track of.

I made it a simple layout that is easy to personalize.

*This is a digital file, excel file (.xlsx) to be exact.
Best used with Microsoft Excel.

You can use this file over and over- only buy once.
Just make sure you save backups for yourself.

Sheets in this notebook for you to track info include:
Inventory, sold products, customer database, supplies, 'Recipe book'- write exact supplies used for each product, Time, blog, passwords, chart of accounts, daily + monthly finances, Mileage, marketing, shop stats.

© 2011 by LizsSupplies.
All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Company Name.

All this means no sharing allowed of this file!

A link to your file will be sent to you within 48 hours of purchase- will usually be sooner so no worries. :)

Order today!

List of Christmas Traditions I Hope to do With My Future Family

2011-12-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

Looking back on past years I've noticed that we don't really do much for Christmas. and basically do nothing for birthdays either. Sometimes a cake. And it really saddens me. So I won't let that be the case- especially for my future kids.

As our current family stands I'll keep it simple, but I fully intend on decorating this next year.

So in preparation for my dream family I'm creating a large list of possible traditions to do. Feel free to comment with your own traditions!

1. Bake a batch of cookies with the kids

2. decorate the tree and house as a family during the first week of December or November?

3. Make ornaments, different types, each year with the kids. Write date and names on each and save them to take when they move on their own.

4. have a family Christmas each year with large family circle and another with nucleur family circle.

5. Hearts for a good deed
Good way to encourage goodwill between multiple children

6. sew new PJs for the family each year?

7. Christmas countdown with books

8. having my dad or another male relative dress as santa- especially when the kids are really little.

9. Holiday movie marathon

10. diy xmas cards for family

11. special holiday foods

I hope to create more memories and traditions throughout the future years.
I guess I need to hurry up and create my family since I'm already 26.

Christmas Memories

2011-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a bulleted version of my Christmas memories

*Tacoma, WA 1988/89 (3 yo)- Dad and I built a snow woman in front of the apartments. a major highway that many army people would drive on passed in front of our apartments. So once dad built the snow woman (with big boobs, mind you) everyone was honking their horns as they passed!

*Tacoma, WA 1990/1991? (4/5)- I got a mermaid doll. it was short with a plastic tail + red hair. I got a pink plastic tea set- might have been white. Dad bought one of those big plastic candy canes of M&Ms. We ate those and drank pepsi from my tea set. I remember watching ice skating a lot that season too.

*MI 1993?(7 yo)- My aunt sewn for me a dress and purse of pink satin and black lace. I still have them both. Although they don't fit now, lol :P

*MI 1993 to 1997-ish (7-11)- a friend of the family would help us get a tree and would bring gifts every year. We have always been poverish and many from the school and around town would donate and bring gifts. I remember one year I had garbage bags full of gifts. we had to hide them upstairs when more people came.

*Once I turned 12 no one really brought gifts except my grandma. She'd make ornaments every year for all of her kids and grand kids. {numbers being near 40 now i think, when you include greatgrandkids}

We visited a few friends of the family once or twice during my teens.

2009 + 2010 Christmas was spent with my now-ex-boyfriend.

I figure this year will be just a lazy day at home, it'll be just like any other day this year.
I'm brainstorming decor ideas for next year.